Friday, August 10, 2012

NZ

New Zealand, eh? Lovely country, full of lunatics...

I arrived on Tuesday, checked into my hotel and met up with a friend who's living over here. By nine that night, every time my eyes closed I was in serious danger of falling asleep right there and then. Only the fact that my luggage had been misplaced somewhere between Dublin and Auckland kept me from turning in early. It's not exactly a nice feeling, wondering if you're ever going to see your luggage again. You start thinking about all the clothes you packed, about the toothbrush, about the phone charger you might never see again...

I went to bed, then was woken at 2 AM by reception- my luggage had arrived. They delivered it to my room and I wept manly tears of joy. Or, y'know, I shrugged and mumbled a thank you and went back to bed. Whichever.

It's now Friday night, and tomorrow is my last day in New Zealand. It's been astonishingly good so far. Every school I've been to has been great- really enthusiastic people, ready to have a laugh. Two schools even did a welcoming Haka-type thing, which was awesomely cool.

The public signings have been great too. This afternoon I did one in the Children's Bookshop in Christchurch, where I met a load of readers, including Jordan, a girl who had kept me updated about her status after the recent earthquakes. It's always nice to meet people I only know online, and she had many, MANY questions to ask.

Tomorrow is my last day in NZ, and so the first chunk of my tour will be over. I've really enjoyed my few days here- this was a great way to kick off the tour.

EDIT:

I've just read over what I've just written, and it's all so sickeningly POSITIVE and nice. Bah humbug! There needs to be some grouchy stuff in here in order to be genuine- so I'll just say that I STILL haven't been able to see Katie Taylor winning the gold in boxing, and I am NOT happy about that. I can't even find it on YouTube.

Bah YouTube! Bah!

Every single Irish Minion knows who Katie Taylor is, and they're as proud of her as I am. What a girl.

5,000 comments:

You'll love it in Australia, Derek! We have EMUS. They're the Ostriches of Australia! I'll be at the Adelaide signing and event! I'll be bringing Mortal Coil, Kingdom of the Wicked, and something else.... :)

DEREK IM GLAD YOU ARE HAVING FUN ON THE TOUR!!I have Family in Christchurch, maybe you met them I don't know. I don't even know if they read SP I hope they do! They should, the books are too awesome not to read!

Hmmm I don't comment on here often (if ever) but i guess I will now as I will be seeing you soon Derek!AUSTRALIA. YAY!I was in melbourne last time you were here (so long ago D: ) and I will be there AGAIN.I'm going to have to bring a seperate bag purely to carry all the books.Yes, i want to make you sign them all. Even the ones you signed last time! (Do people do that!?)I dont even know.Enjoy your stay!

Fantastic to hear from you again Derek! I am glad you finally got yuor luggage! *glares at the ones responsible for losing it*I hope you cintinue to have lots of fun and wonderful times with your minions!*hugs*

So, to summarize: glad you had fun, sure you were funny (you better have been), please come to America.

Please! Or, there's quite a few people I can find to kidnap you. We'll all wear hats, huge sunglasses, scarves, and fuzzy wigs over our skeleton masks so you won't know who we are when we come to the signing.

Just kidding, we would never try to hurt you. Plus, then we'd be facing the rest of the munchkin army, and your martial art skills. It would just be way too messy.

well that is difficult, where does 400 come from?!Maybe next time he does a tour a heap of us should organise a road trip with a bus or something.We could collect everyone from where ever they live and then follow Derek to ALL his signings >:D

I know the feeling of misplaced luggage, Derek. My story was we went to Florida and on our way home it all happened. We flew out and got to Pennsylvania to find out, our luggage was left in Florida because the conveyer belt they used to place it on the plane broke. For DAYS I was home and lwe had none of oir tioletries! NONE. A week later we got our luggage and the camera from our trip came back broken.

And yeah, I'm kind of in the same boat as Cat. But still, sorry you can't get to the tours. Right now my hopes for a tour or book signing is pretty much: 'maybe when I do go to Ireland next year, by coincidence...'

Control? I learnt control and gave it upI'm also a good fighter, I gave my life for that damn necromancer once (stupid mage saved me and caused a war) loyal, helpful, all powerful (I know more than bonebreaking) and I've got friends in high and low places. Trust me, when it comes to the Australian magic world, I'm the guy to go to

Oh, you do not want to fend for yourselfA sorcerer rules the underworld of this country, both magic and mortal. I've managed to aviod him, but if you even get close to him... you've lostStick with me, and you'll be fine